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From global design to a family studio in Aotearoa
YDS Studio began around 14 years ago, but the story really started much earlier.
“After studying… more
A 100-year-old bungalow refreshed in soft neutrals
Holly’s home settles gently into its surroundings. A calm, coastal bungalow that feels both grounded and lived in. Although rewind a few years, and the story looked very different.
“In 2018, we bought the worst house in a great street in a beachside community in central Auckland,” says Holly. “It was a 100-year-old bungalow that was original, with a few home renovation jobs that had been done.”
What Holly and her family had inherited was a little less charming character and a little more chaos, with worn and “filthy” carpet, apricot and green walls and a vintage yellow bathroom. As Holly puts it, “it was in a bad state.”
Living room walls painted in Resene Wan White.
“When we got the keys, we had three days to make it ‘liveable’,” says Holly. The carpet was ripped out, the floors were sanded and every surface was coated in white. “Three days later, we moved in! It was a bit intense, like a brutal episode of The Block.” With family pitching in, the transformation was fast, functional and just enough to begin.
Walls in Resene Wan White, floor in Resene Walk-on in Sea Fog.
For the next few years, progress came bit at a time. With another build underway elsewhere, Holly and her partner Rico focused on small, strategic improvements. They tackled the exterior themselves, sanding and repainting in Resene Silver Chalice, paired with crisp Black White trims. “I wanted a light grey for a seaside bungalow look,” Holly says.
Her decision came from a little curiosity and investigation. “I door knocked on two houses that had the colour I liked… both houses had used Silver Chalice, so that helped confirm for me that was what I wanted.”
Exterior weatherboards in Resene Silver Chalice, trims in Black White.
Inside, the palette leans into calm and cohesion. Walls upstairs are finished in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints collection, while floors are coated in Sea Fog for a soft, grounding base. Across key spaces, one colour quietly ties the home together. “I love Periglacial Blue, it’s got a lovely soft energy to it and changes a lot depending on whether its quarter, half or full strength, and how the light falls on it.” Used in the rumpus, bathroom and Billie Darling’s bedroom, it brings a subtle sense of movement and mood.
Rumpus room walls in Resene Periglacial Blue.
Billie Darling’s room painted in Resene Periglacial Blue.
Bedroom walls in Resene Wan White.
More recently, the home has undergone a deeper transformation with the help of architect Felicity Brenchley and the team at Origin Build. A once underused basement has become a vibrant family zone. “We turned the concrete basement into useable spaces with a rumpus where the kids now can hang out to play music, watch TV, do lego and art.”
Upstairs a refreshed bathroom in Resene Periglacial Blue and relocated laundry in Napa have improved the daily flow, while thoughtful material choices keep everything feeling cohesive. A Bremworth wool carpet in a tight, light grey loop pile adds softness underfoot without sacrificing durability. “Our lives are busy, and our kids are too. Home is a sanctuary for us,” Holly says.
Bathroom walls in Resene Periglacial Blue.
Dining walls in Resene Wan White.
The aesthetic leans Scandinavian, with its emphasis on light, simplicity and natural textures, but it never feels overly styled. “It’s down to earth, homely and not fussy.” This is a home where kids can be kids, where art projects and music sessions are part of the rhythm, and where summer spills easily outdoors.
Entertaining plays a big role too. The backyard, complete with an outdoor fireplace and pizza oven, becomes a natural extension of the home in warmer months.
Laundry cabinetry in Resene Napa.
Holly, Rico, Hudson, Billie Darling and even Sushi the cat have shaped this home together over time. It’s equal parts patience, practicality and personality. And what began as “the worst house in a great street” has become something far more striking and meaningful.
design homeowners, Origin Build
images Peem Anakukal
Resene Pro Tip:
Converting basement areas can present a few problems, the main being potential water ingress and rising damp. Once cleaned, bare concrete can be treated using a combination of Resene Aquapel (use the solvent borne version for this application) and Resene Hydra-Block which is a two-part epoxy developed to hold back moisture subject to hydrostatic pressure. Once this is all prepped, you can go ahead and paint in your chosen colour.
Published: 07 May 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Periglacial Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Periglacial Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
